Social Justice Books

The best selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, YA, and educators.

Pies from Nowhere

Reviewed by the Zinn Education Project Review Source: Zinn Education Project Book Author: This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of Georgia Gilmore and the Club from Nowhere — a grassroots project to provide food and funds for the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Gilmore’s work is described in the Beacon Broadside, “Georgia Gilmore, Overlooked Activist […]

Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: This picture book for mid- to upper-elementary tells the story of Lilly Ann Granderson, an enslaved woman who taught hundreds of people in Kentucky and Mississippi to read. Her schools were held in secrecy and under threat of severe punishment. Readers learn not only […]

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement

Reviewed by Deborah Menkart Reviewed Source: Rethinking Schools Book Author: Finally, a book for children about Fannie Lou Hamer, one of the most influential women in the modern Civil Rights Movement. Voice of Freedom is infused with Hamer’s own quotes and the colloquial style that defined her skill as a speaker. It introduces key events […]

Honey, I Love

Teaching Idea Honey, I Love by Eloise Greenfield Poetry Workshop Goals: (1) To introduce students to a famous African American poet, Eloise Greenfield, and her poetry language and rhythm) (2) To engage students in writing their own poetry about what they love in their lives Skills: Listening, Comprehending, Making connections with literature to their own […]

Dactyl Hill Squad

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Some time back, I learned that Daniel José Older was working on a series that would blend history and fantasy. The first book in the series—Dactyl Hill Squad—is out and I gotta say, I enjoyed it! Older, by the way, is not […]

A Wish After Midnight

Reviewed by Edith (Edi) Campbell Review Source: Crazy Quilt Edi Book Author: Genna’s mother probably never told her to be careful what she wished and she probably never told Genna that she was beautiful, or smart, or a wonderful daughter. Mom was too busy struggling with a son and a daughter she already lost to […]